Borris
House
- Map of Borris c 1846
Borris
House
- Hidden in the wood-ed Barrow Valley
stands this magnificent house which was built in 1731 by Morgan
Kavanagh, a descendant of the former Kings of Leinster. It is
surrounded by the Blackstairs Mountains. Mount Leinster dominates
the landscape and the River itself bounds the Estate. There are 600
acres of rolling parkland and ancient oak Woodlandss. One of the
country's oldest and best known golf courses lies within the demesne
walls. Borris House has remained in the ownership of the Kavanagh
family ever since and it was built and is steeped in
McMurrough-Kavanagh history. There is a fabulous viaduct in the
village along the old railway line. The lovely wooded Valley of the
River Barrow is ideal for walks.
The MacMurrough Kavanagh dynasty, former Celtic Kings of
Leinster, are central to this picturesque town of old stone
buildings. The family still live at Borris House in the town centre.
Built in Tudor style, the house is open to groups by prior
arrangement.
The town prospered in the late 1800s as Arthur MacMurrough
Kavanagh, the landlord of the time,
developed a sawmill and a
thriving lace-making industry. He also instigated the building of
the graceful 16-arch viaduct, situated at the lower end of the town,
which was intended to carry the now defunct Great Southern and
Western Railway line between Bagenalstown and Wexford. Borris
railway station opened on 20 December 1858, closed for passenger
traffic on 2 February 1931 and for goods traffic on 27 January 1947,
finally closing altogether on 1 April 1963
The entrance to Borris House & Grounds
A beautiful untouched
picturesque Georgian village, full of charm and heritage
nestling in the foothills of the Blackstairs mountains. It is
situated in the woods surrounding Borris House, residence of
the Kavanagh family, lineal representatives of the
McMurrough-Kavanaghs - ancient Kings of Leinster. Handsome
stone cut buildings and traditional shop and pub fronts add
to the appeal of the town. Many original shop fronts remain,
and O’Shea’s, a great old-time bar cum grocery cum hardware
store!
